Luke Part 1 Week 7

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:67-70 

⁶⁷ Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:  ⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. ⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, ⁷⁰ just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.” 

After Zechariah said his son should be called “John,” he was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy. As a priest, Zechariah had an understanding of what the prophets had promised long ago. He recited that now to his friends and relatives.  

REFLECT 

Think how important it is to know what the Old Testament says. At the time Zechariah was speaking it was considered the Jewish Bible. Now we also have the added New Testament that tells us about God’s grace in providing Jesus to pay for the sins of the world. 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about what Zechariah referred to when he said that God “has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David.” Jesus was born in the tribe of Judah, which was David’s tribe. Jesus is sometimes referred to as the “Son of David,” meaning He was a descendant of David (see Matthew 12:22-23). 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:71-73 

⁷¹ “Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. ⁷² He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant— ⁷³ the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.” 

Zechariah continued to prophesy. He referred to the covenant God made with Abraham. There are various promises to Abraham and his descendants beginning with Genesis 12:1-3. Through his descendants salvation would come. God will bless those who treat Abraham and his descendants well and withhold blessing from those who do not.  

REFLECT 

How do you view the Jewish people? Jesus Himself was a Jewish Rabbi. He is the one who said salvation only comes from believing in Him as Savior (see John 14:6). The apostle Peter was a Jew who said what is recorded in Acts 4:12.  

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the problem of antisemitism today. After the worldwide flood the earth was populated by the descendants of Noah—Shem, Ham and Japheth. The Jewish people are the descendants of Shem. To be opposed to them is to be “anti-Semitic.” Remember Jesus’ words in John 4:22 that “salvation comes through the Jews.” 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:74-75 

⁷⁴ “We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, ⁷⁵ in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” 

Having reminded the people of the promises of the prophets, Zechariah said, “We can serve God without fear.” This did not mean they would avoid being persecuted, but their hope and confidence was in a sovereign God who was in the process of providing salvation for them. Zechariah added the way they should live, “in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” 

REFLECT 

Do you think about the difference in perspective a believer in Jesus can have in contrast to that of an unbeliever? Even though death comes to all, the believer realizes that after physical death is spiritual life with Jesus (see Philippians 1:23-24). 

RESPOND 

Encourage a believing friend what lies beyond the grave. See Jesus’ words in John 11:25. Consider quoting this verse when giving others your condolences when they have had a loved one die who had believed in Jesus.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:76-77 

⁷⁶ “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. ⁷⁷ You will tell his people how to find salvation     through forgiveness of their sins.” 

Zechariah referred to his son, John. He would be “called the prophet of the Most High.” John would “prepare the way for the Lord.” John would tell the Jewish people “how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.” Great truths were being revealed by God through the priest Zechariah about his son, John. 

REFLECT 

Thank the Lord for whomever or however you learned that Jesus died to pay for your sins if you would believe in Him.  

RESPOND 

Share your testimony with a friend. Tell how you learned about your need to trust in Jesus as your Savior. Ask God to enable you to be a messenger of this truth to others.  

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 1:78-80 

⁷⁸ “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, ⁷⁹ to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” ⁸⁰ John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.  

Zechariah ended his predictions and praise. He saw the “morning light from heaven is about to break upon us.” What great hope and trust he had in the future events that would be brought about by the son born to him and Elizabeth. Luke, the author of the gospel, takes one immediately to the adulthood of the baby by telling how he grew up.  

REFLECT 

Looking back, do you have the same confidence in God that Zechariah had? Read the Bible to strengthen your confidence.  

RESPOND 

As you read the gospel of Luke, you will see that here he ends telling about the birth of the person to be known as “John the Baptist” and will now turn to telling about the birth of Jesus. This will reveal how God is working behind the scenes to bring the Savior into the world.